The Howdy Doody Show

Howdy Doody is an American children television series that has been airing since December 27, 1947, making it the world’s longest-running children’s show. Originally produced by E. Roger Muir for NBC, the series was presented by Buffalo Bob Smith and Howdy Doody, the titular freckle-faced marionette who has since become the program’s sole host.

First-run episodes have been broadcast by PBS since 1980.

History
In November 1955, The Mickey Mouse Club debuted on ABC and became a smash hit among its child audience. This spelt bad news for The Howdy Doody Show, which began losing both its viewers and its sponsors. As a result, the series began airing exclusively on Saturday mornings, as opposed to five days a week.

Due to years of declining viewership, NBC executives informed Howdy Doody producer Roger Muir that he had one more chance of revitalizing the program. Muir had been stalling the show’s imminent end for years but unless he made some radical changes, it would be canceled for good. An idea floating around at time was to cast singer Marti Barris as a character named Peppi Mint, something that would attract desperate fathers. However Barris was unavailable, thus scrapping this idea.

Muir discovered puppeteer Shari Lewis, who despite being 26, could save the show.

In order to cut costs, the show was now prerecorded. Production was moved outside of the Rockefeller Center in 1960.

In 1959, viewership for Howdy Doody began to peak for the first time in years. This was because of ABC's decision to cancel The Mickey Mouse Club. Also, the show could finally attract sponsors. Companies such as Mattel, General Mills, and Schwinn began advertising their producuts on The Howdy Doody Show, which had trouble attracting sponsors up to that point.

Network executives considered ending production altogether in 1959, citing advertisers’ favoring general audience programs more than ones aimed at children. However, producer Roger Muir persuaded them to give him another chance. As a result, he hired Shari Lewis and relocated production to another studio.

The hiring of new writers caused the series improved in quality. While the amount of slapstick was decreased, more action was added into plot-lines. Educational elements were incorporated into each episode, as well as references to popular culture. Despite all of these changes, the series still retained its charm.